These products & services are researched and tested by HelpGuide’s independent consumer reviews partner. When you buy through the links, we earn a commission.
When Charlene H.’s mother passed away, she realized she’d be living alone and wanted extra protection. Her mother had used a medical alert necklace, so the High Point, North Carolina resident decided to get herself one as well.
“It has given me a sense of security that I know if anything happens, I can press the button and be responded to,” she says.
Charlene emphasizes that her medical alert necklace doesn’t interfere with her regular activities, and she only notices she’s wearing it when she’s exercising. Fortunately, she hasn’t had to use her necklace during an emergency.
“I have not needed them (the monitoring center) in an emergency. I have it just in case, but I have been very fortunate to not have needed any assistance in regards to an emergency,” she adds.
If you’re a caregiver researching medical alert necklaces, remember they’re not the same as medical ID necklaces. While both are crucial safety tools, they have different purposes. Medical alert necklaces connect to a 24/7 monitoring center with a button. Medical ID necklaces list health conditions, current medication, and other important health information if you can’t communicate them during a medical emergency.
Medical alert necklaces are more than a help button that connects to the monitoring center—you can also choose features like fall detection and location tracking to help support your caregiving plan.
The Handbook Team wants to make your search for the best medical alert necklace as simple as possible, so we narrowed our choices to three clear winners after hand-testing 16 necklaces.
Which medical alert necklace is right for you?
- Best at-home fall detection: Bay Alarm Medical SOS Home
- Best on-the-go fall detection: MobileHelp Micro
- Fastest response time: Medical Care Alert Home & Away Ultra
What you need to know about the best medical alert necklaces
Here are the five most important things to know about the best medical alert necklaces.
Bay Alarm Medical SOS Home and MobileHelp Micro detected all slow and fast falls.
Average response time for the best necklaces: 38 seconds.
Medical Care Alert Home & Away Ultra had the fastest response time: 29 seconds
On-the-go medical alert necklaces have built-in speakers.
All three of the best medical alert necklaces are water-resistant.
Why HelpGuide cares about older adult safety
Feelings of independence, security, and connection are closely related to older adult mental health. Older adults experiencing loneliness and social isolation tend to have a much higher risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide, as well as dementia, heart disease, and stroke, according to research.
Thankfully, studies have shown older adults who use medical alert systems have a greater sense of security, improved mental health, and are shown to be more active and independent around the home.
Independence is closely tied to one’s sense of identity, especially in older adults. Being able to perform daily tasks, make decisions, and live without constant assistance reinforces the feeling of being competent and valuable. A loss of independence can, unfortunately, erode this sense of self-worth.
Ryan Sultan, medical director of Integrative Psych and clinical professor at Columbia University.
For older adults, maintaining autonomy is directly related to mental health and quality of life. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to share the best information about medical alert systems that can help keep care recipients healthy, safe, and active.
Our Handbook Team hand-tests every medical alert brand we review, so we can feel confident recommending the best products for our readers. We consult with gerontologists (experts in older adult care), researchers, industry leaders in older adult safety, and mental health experts to vet our choices.
We also put ourselves in the consumer’s shoes by mystery shopping brands and walking through the set-up process, just like new customers. Additionally, we survey users and interview real people who use medical alert systems.
By compiling our testing data, interview and survey results, and insights from older adult care providers, we formulate a strongly informed perspective that we’re sharing with you here.
Read more about our medical alert testing methodology.
Our testing experience
Just like we determined the best medical alert systems, the Handbook Team picked our top medical alert necklaces based on our actual experience wearing and using the devices.
We tested 16 medical alert necklaces across eight brands:
- Bay Alarm Medical
- GetSafe
- HandsFree Health
- LifeFone
- Lively
- Medical Care Alert
- Medical Guardian
- MobileHelp
Our team considered well-known brands with a generally positive reputation when choosing medical alert systems to test. We picked brands with various pricing options, device designs, and safety features.
Our testing process looked like this:
Purchase medical alert systems as mystery shoppers.
Follow the user guide to set up the system and call the monitoring center.
Record how long it takes to reach the monitoring center.
Conduct six fall tests (three slow and three fast falls) with fall detection devices.
Test GPS location tracking for mobile systems.
Charge devices.
Download and test caregiver app.
We spent most of our testing contacting the monitoring center since this is the most important feature of any medical alert system.
From our tester
“The MobileHelp Micro registers falls with verbal confirmation, and we like that the monitoring center agent verified the user’s name every time we called. The necklace’s speaker is also very sensitive—we were able to speak with the agent about 2 feet away from the device.”
We also conducted six fall tests with each necklace that had fall detection. Research shows that the best placement for accurate fall detection is on the chest or worn as a necklace. While many medical alert brands now offer wrist-based fall detection devices, these devices are still most accurate when worn at chest level.
Although we rigorously test each fall alert necklace by simulating multiple falls, our fall detection testing isn’t 100% accurate. Researchers estimate we’d need to record about 100,000 days of activity to create enough real-world fall data.
How we tested fall detection necklaces:
- Our team conducted three “slow” and three “fast” test falls while wearing the fall detection device. We started all slow falls by sitting in a chair at 90 degrees and dropping to our knees before falling face down on a mat.
- For the fast fall, we dropped the device from shoulder height to the mat to replicate a fast, hard-impact fall.
Generally speaking, a hard fall is a fall that can be difficult to stop, happens quickly, and results in a strong impact to the body. A slow fall is a fall that occurs more gradually, and the impact is likely weaker. However, individuals are not immune to injury after a slow fall.
Sean Marchese, a registered nurse with more than 20 years of experience.
We also evaluated each medical alert necklace by asking the following questions during testing:
- Can monitoring center agents see our correct GPS location? (on-the-go devices)
- Did the necklace initiate an emergency call when it shouldn’t have?
- Is the necklace comfortable to wear?
- Is it comfortable to sleep in?
- Are there low battery alerts?
- Is it easy to place the device in the charging cradle? (on-the-go devices)
- Does the device alert you when it’s fully charged?
From our tester
“The MobileHelp Micro was much more comfortable than the Solo model. It doesn’t have a magnetic clasp and the lanyard material seems a little cheap, but it rests more comfortably on the chest and is lightweight.”
Compare the best medical alert system necklaces of 2023
| Device | Starting monthly price | Fall detection monthly fee | Fall detection accuracy | Average response time (seconds) | In-home range (feet) | Mobile device battery life (days) | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $24.95 | $10 | 6/6 | 49 | 1,000 | N/A | See Packages | |
| $39.95 | $11 | 6/6 | 36 | N/A | 4 | See Packages | |
| $39.95 | $10 | 5/6 | 29 | N/A | 3 | See Packages |
Reviews of the best medical alert system necklaces
1. Bay Alarm Medical SOS Home: Best At-Home Fall Detection
The SOS Home is our top pick for an at-home medical alert necklace if you want sensitive fall detection, consistent response times, and the option to disguise your necklace as jewelry.
- In-home range: 1,000 feet.
- Mobile device battery life: N/A.
- Connection type: AT&T or Verizon cellular, GPS, landline.
- Standout feature: Bella Charms to beautify help button necklaces.
The Bay Alarm Medical SOS Home is our favorite at-home medical alert necklace: It detected all test falls, the base station has a 1,000-foot range, and you can accessorize (and disguise) your necklace as jewelry (not available for fall detection necklaces).
We received two necklaces since we opted to include fall detection—a standard help button necklace and a fall alert necklace.
The SOS Home includes the standard help button necklace (right), and the fall detection pendant (left) is an add-on.
From our tester
“The SOS Home necklaces are lightweight and rest comfortably on the sternum. They’re also adjustable, which not all medical alert necklaces are.”
You’ll pay a $30 one-time fee and an additional $10 per month when you include fall detection with your SOS Home. While a monthly fee for fall detection is standard, we didn’t like that we were charged an extra fee on top of that. Despite the additional fee, we were impressed with the SOS Home fall detection necklace: It was the only at-home medical alert necklace to detect all slow falls and all hard, fast falls.
The SOS Home fall alert necklace registered falls quickly compared to some necklaces we tested. Within three to seven seconds after each test fall, the base station announced, “Calling for help” and initiated a call to the monitoring center.
We like that the base station verbally confirms when the necklace registers a fall and contacts the monitoring center. Keep in mind that you’ll only hear this verbal confirmation if you’re near the base station (at-home necklaces don’t have a built-in speaker).
As for the base station’s speaker strength, we were impressed monitoring center agents could hear us more than 5 feet from the speaker, even if it was a tad spotty on our end. If you call for help from your medical alert necklace and you’re within 5–6 feet of the base station, you can speak with the agent through the base station. And if you press your button but aren’t within range to speak with the agent, they’ll still dispatch emergency services and call emergency contacts.
Another perk of the SOS Home is Bella Charms. This fun accessory disguises your help button as a colorful necklace by attaching it to the back of your button. Our testers enjoyed modeling these charms, but we wish this accessory was also available for the fall alert necklace. Bella Charms are $25 each.
The help button is disguised with Bella Charm jewelry in the top picture. The bottom picture shows the back of the help button and Bella Charm.
The Bay Alarm Medical app is free and available for caregivers. The app includes the following features:
- Checking cellular network connection status.
- Updating safety plan, including emergency contacts and home entry info.
- Managing account and payment information.
2. MobileHelp Micro: Best On-the-Go Fall Detection
We think the Micro is an excellent on-the-go medical alert necklace with sensitive fall detection and a multi-day battery life.
- In-home range: N/A.
- Mobile device battery life: Up to five days.
- Connection type: AT&T 4G LTE, GPS.
- Standout feature: Separate test button to test monitoring center connection.
The MobileHelp Micro is a compact on-the-go device with sensitive fall detection that detected all six of our test falls.
We appreciate verbal cues that help users know what’s happening during an emergency. After each test fall, our Micro announced “Fall detected” and “Contacting emergency services.”
If you’re worried about a steep learning curve to set up the device, we think you’ll appreciate that the setup instructions are broken down into small, easily manageable steps. Verbal and light cues guided us through the setup process, and it took about one minute to set up and test our Micro.
From our tester
“The testing process for the Micro was clearly laid out with numbered instructions and pictures. We also like that there’s a separate test button on the device, so you can test your connection to the monitoring center without pressing the help button.”
So, what’s it like to actually wear the Micro? The device was lightweight and rested comfortably on our chest, even if the strap wasn’t adjustable. We wish it was a tad more compact and discreet. It was difficult to tuck the medical alert pendant under our shirt without it being noticeable.
A Handbook Team tester models the MobileHelp Micro necklace.
We do love that the Micro has a magnetic detachable lanyard, making it easier to switch the device from a necklace to tucking it into your pocket or purse. The device is water-resistant, so you can wear it in the shower.
MobileHelp doesn’t mention in the user manual whether or not you should sleep while wearing the device. Our team thinks the Micro is too bulky to sleep in and may trigger a false alarm since fall detection is sensitive.
We like that there are two types of alerts when the necklace battery is low: visual (flashing red light) and verbal (“Your battery is low; please connect to a power source”). This helps accommodate users who are visually impaired or have low hearing. Unfortunately, no verbal alerts confirm when the device is charging and when it’s fully charged. There are only visual alerts.
A customer service representative recommended charging the Micro like a cell phone every night since battery life can vary depending on usage and connection strength.
The MobileHelp Connect app is free with any MobileHelp medical alert system. Although the app feels a little outdated, it has a few helpful features for caregivers, including:
- Checking cellular network connection and battery status.
- Access to user’s health information.
- Location tracking (30 location pings per month included and 30 additional pings available for $6).
3. Medical Care Alert Home & Away Ultra: Fastest Response Time
With fast response times, medically certified monitoring center agents, and a rare tracking option called geofencing, the Medical Care Alert Home & Away Ultra is a reliable safety tool.
- Starting monthly price: $39.95.
- In-home range: N/A.
- Mobile device battery life: Three days.
- Connection type: AT&T or Verizon 4G LTE, GPS.
- Standout feature: EMT/EMD-certified monitoring center agents.
Every second matters during an emergency, so we were impressed with this necklace’s average response time of 29 seconds. Besides having the fastest response time of the top medical alert necklaces, all Medical Care Alert monitoring center staff are EMT- (emergency medical technician) and EMD- (emergency medical dispatch) certified.
From our tester
“We had very pleasant experiences with each monitoring center agent. They thank you for testing and always confirm that neither you nor anyone you’re with needs help.”
The necklace detected five out of six test falls (it didn’t detect one slow fall), and we could cancel each call by holding down the help button for at least two seconds.
We confirmed with an agent that they tracked our correct location every time we contacted the monitoring center. Correct GPS tracking is crucial for mobile necklaces if you have an emergency outside your home and aren’t able to tell the monitoring center agent your exact location.
We also want to highlight rare Home & Away Ultra features: location entrance and exit alerts and Emergency Alert System (EAS) broadcasts.
Location entrance and exit alerts, also known as geofencing, use GPS to tell you when the device enters or leaves a certain location. For example, you could set up a 500-foot radius around your care recipient’s home to get alerts when they leave. If you don’t receive a return notification in a timely manner, you’d know to check their current location or call their phone.
EAS is a national service that warns of severe weather events and delivers other urgent information to the public. The broadcasts come through the device’s speaker and could help your care recipient seek shelter during a tornado, for example, or stay up-to-date on other emergency events they may not learn about otherwise.
Another of our favorite features of the Home & Away Ultra is the step-by-step verbal prompts that guide users through setting up and testing the device. It prompts you to conduct a test call immediately so users can get a feel for how the necklace works.
While we like that the device is pretty small (about the same height as a chapstick tube), it felt heavier around our neck than the Bay Alarm Medical and MobileHelp medical alert necklaces. The strap design also made it rest farther down our chest than others.
A Handbook Team member models the Home & Away Ultra necklace.
Like the other two medical alert necklaces in this review, the Home & Away Ultra is water-resistant (splashed with water but not submerged). The user guide advises charging the device at night beside your bed, which implies not wearing it while you sleep.
The Medical Care Alert RemoteCare 24/7 app is a comprehensive free tool for caregivers. We love all the monitoring features that allow caregivers to:
- View real-time GPS location tracking and location history.
- “Ring” the device if it’s misplaced.
- Check battery life and signal strength.
- See the user’s health and lifestyle information (allergies, directives, medical conditions, prescriptions, doctors, pharmacies, and familiar places).
- Check if the device is on or off the charging cradle.
Pros and cons of medical alert system necklaces
What we like about medical alert system necklaces
- Optional fall detection is available.
- Fall detection is usually more accurate in necklaces than wrist-based devices.
- Can speak with a monitoring agent through on-the-go devices.
- Depending on the size, they can be hidden under a shirt.
Having style options to choose from was nice. The watch required dexterity my mom no longer has. The necklace works perfectly, she likes to hide it under her shirt.
Mea S., a caregiver for her mother in Vermont
What we don’t like about medical alert system necklaces
- Some have non-adjustable lanyards.
- At-home help button necklaces don’t have two-way speakers.
- Not safe or comfortable to wear while sleeping.
- Sensitive fall detection may mean more false alarms.
Handbook Team Tip #1
Most medical alert necklaces allow you to cancel a false alarm by holding down the help button. If you don’t cancel the alarm in time, tell the monitoring center agent it was a false alarm. You’ll never be penalized for accidental calls.
How much do medical alert system necklaces cost?
The main cost of your medical alert necklace is the monthly monitoring fee, which is usually $25–$35 per month and varies by brand and device. When budgeting for a medical alert necklace, remember the monthly monitoring fee is usually not the final cost.
Most medical alert systems offer the following features for an additional monthly fee:
- Fall detection.
- Add-on accessories, like wall buttons, lock boxes, and extra medical alert necklaces.
- A protection plan in case equipment is damaged, stolen, or lost.
Also, consider possible one-time fees that may get added to your medical alert necklace:
- Activation fee.
- Equipment fee.
- Shipping costs.
Handbook Team Tip #2
Most medical alert system brands offer discounts with an annual payment plan, such as a free service month, waived shipping fees, or a free lockbox.
Top features to look for in medical alert necklaces
Fast response time
Fall detection
Connection range (at-home)
GPS location tracking (on-the-go)
Water-resistant or waterproof material
I recommend this (GPS location tracking) particularly for patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s because they sometimes wander off and get hurt. The fall detection feature should also be factored in when buying the necklace. Generally, older adults and their families feel more secure knowing that help can still find them if they’re not able to reach for the device.
Nancy Mitchell, a registered nurse and geriatric director of care in Atlanta.
How to choose the best medical alert pendant for you
The right medical alert necklace for you or your care recipient will vary depending on your lifestyle and needs. Review our table below to help you narrow down the most important features.
| Medical alert necklace features | Who benefits most from this option? |
|---|---|
| At-home | Users who only need monitoring in and around their home because they are accompanied by a caregiver outside the home. |
| On-the-go | Users who enjoy independent activities outside their homes like driving, running errands, and visiting family and friends. |
| Fall detection | Those with a history of falls or a high risk of falling due to medical conditions, mobility, and other factors. |
| GPS tracking | Users who have a more independent lifestyle. |
| Water-resistant | Those who primarily shower instead of taking a bath. |
| Waterproof | Users who prefer soaking in a bathtub instead of showering. |
Handbook Team Tip #3
Always involve your care recipient in the shopping process. If they’re still hesitant to wear a medical alert necklace, frame the company’s trial period as a chance for them to see if they like wearing and using it.
Our final verdict
After testing 16 devices across eight brands, we believe Bay Alarm Medical, MobileHelp, and Medical Care Alert offer the best medical alert necklaces.
Bay Alarm Medical is our top choice for at-home protection. The SOS Home necklace detected all test falls, has a 1,000-foot range from the base station, and offers optional charms to disguise your help button necklace as jewelry.
The MobileHelp Micro and Medical Care Alert Home & Away Ultra are both excellent on-the-go options, but MobileHelp fall detection sensors performed slightly better than Medical Care Alert. The Micro detected six out of six falls, while the Home & Away Ultra detected five out of six falls. Medical Care Alert is also one of the only brands with EMT- and EMD-trained monitoring center staff. We like this option for users with more serious or multiple medical conditions.
The Home & Away Ultra had the fastest response time of the three medical alert necklaces: 29 seconds.
As a caregiver, we encourage you to offer multiple options to your care recipient when helping them choose the right medical alert necklace. No matter how discreet or helpful the device is, your care recipient may still hesitate to wear the necklace as part of their daily routine. Help them feel empowered by letting them decide which emergency necklace style and brand works best for them.
“Aging can be emotionally challenging, especially for people who were always independent,” says Mitchell. “Having a medical alert device can be a difficult transition for these people. In those cases, the less obvious the device, the better. They’re more likely to wear the alert system if they don’t feel embarrassed about it.”
Frequently asked questions
Some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans cover medical alert necklace costs, but Original Medicare (Part A and B) does not. Coverage varies by insurance plan and state, so you should always check with your insurance provider.
Bay Alarm Medical, MobileHelp, and Medical Care Alert offer some of the best medical alert necklaces based on our testing. The right necklace for you or your care recipient will depend on specific needs, such as medical conditions, activity level, care environment, budget, and other considerations.
Bay Alarm Medical SOS Home starts at $29.95 per month, making it the lowest-priced medical alert necklace in our review. MobileHelp Micro and Medical Care Alert Home & Away Ultra both start at $39.95 per month. Remember that these are base prices without extra features like fall detection added to the monthly price.
Medical alert necklace costs can range from about $20–$40 per month, depending on the brand and type of device you choose. Typically, mobile systems cost more than at-home systems, and some mobile devices include an extra $100–$200 equipment fee. Including fall detection with your medical alert necklace adds $10–$11 to your monthly cost.
A medical alert necklace is best if you want accurate fall detection or an on-the-go system that contacts the monitoring center outside your home. Most on-the-go devices are designed to be worn as necklaces, but sometimes you can purchase a bracelet that connects to the mobile system. You can wear the discreet bracelet while tucking your mobile system in your pocket or purse, but most mobile systems won’t activate fall detection unless the device is worn around your neck.